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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
Loved this book! This is about 14 year old June, who loses her favorite uncle. The story follows her healing through her uncles friend, Toby. The characters were flawed and beautiful all at once. It was very touching to read.
This is a little thin on plot but I loved the characters and their relationships with each other. She really nails the loneliness of adolescence and the complexity of sibling relationships. I'm eager to see what she does next; a sequel about these sisters could be really interesting.
A nice read. Something a bit different. Not your typical love story most certainly. Fast, easy, emotional. All good things. I'd probably give it 3.5 stars just because I'm being super picky about my 4s and 5s. It's good, I'd recommend it to others, but it's not a stand out YOU HAVE TO READ THIS OR ELSE sort of book.
Couldn’t quite muster finishing this one (50%). Maybe next time.
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I picked this one up again last week after stopping at the halfway point in August. Glad I did because the narration matured a little and it was actually a very lovely second half.
...
I picked this one up again last week after stopping at the halfway point in August. Glad I did because the narration matured a little and it was actually a very lovely second half.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Years ago, I stumbled upon a book on a Tumblr page, and since then, it has lived in my mind rent-free. Though I never had the chance to read it, the memory of that discovery lingered, I am this desperate whenever I come across an interesting book online
I especially love the way this novel captures the voice and perspective of its 15-year-old narrator, June. She is a serious girl who lives most comfortably in her imagination, where she can pretend to be in a different time and place, far away from the present day realities of high school and 1987. June is grieving the death of her uncle, confused by her mother's anger about it, teased and harrassed by her more beautiful and popular older sister, Greta. It's tax season, and with both accountant parents at work until late every night, June is left to sort out the mysteries surrounding Uncle Finn's life and death and their impact on June's family. The gaps and questions left unanswered that drive the plot might have seemed contrived, but instead they work perfectly to help illuminate the emotional landscape of being 14-15 and alone with one's feelings.
Another thing that really struck me about this novel is its depiction of the early years of the AIDS epidemic. In the context of today's battles for marriage equality, it was strange to recall a time when one's partner could be viewed as a "murderer," when news stories and police officers and medical professionals joined everyone else in assuming one might "catch AIDS" from sharing lip balm or wiping a tear from someone's cheek. Brunt does a wonderful job evoking this time in history, with all its ignorances and anxieties, without trying to correct it. She leaves certain questions unanswered, certain secrets unrevealed, which makes sense in a narrative that focuses ultimately on the value of love and human connection over material things.
This is also a novel about art: making art, selling art, deciding what is "valuable" and what is "defaced." The painting that serves as an anchor for this narrative is in some ways a narrative itself: it tells the story of a brother and sister, the story of one man's deep love for another, the story of two sisters in battle, the story of all the other stories that can be discovered in the negative space most people never notice.
Another thing that really struck me about this novel is its depiction of the early years of the AIDS epidemic. In the context of today's battles for marriage equality, it was strange to recall a time when one's partner could be viewed as a "murderer," when news stories and police officers and medical professionals joined everyone else in assuming one might "catch AIDS" from sharing lip balm or wiping a tear from someone's cheek. Brunt does a wonderful job evoking this time in history, with all its ignorances and anxieties, without trying to correct it. She leaves certain questions unanswered, certain secrets unrevealed, which makes sense in a narrative that focuses ultimately on the value of love and human connection over material things.
This is also a novel about art: making art, selling art, deciding what is "valuable" and what is "defaced." The painting that serves as an anchor for this narrative is in some ways a narrative itself: it tells the story of a brother and sister, the story of one man's deep love for another, the story of two sisters in battle, the story of all the other stories that can be discovered in the negative space most people never notice.
This, folks, is a great first novel. This book left me devastated and broken. It doesn't sugarcoat or gloss over the pain of loss and grief. It doesn't shy away from AIDS and the attitudes that people had toward it back in the 80s. It doesn't ignore the pain and loneliness that children often feel when someone they love dies. Emotionally, it will shake you and maybe even punch you in the gut. There's so much authenticity and real emotion in this book. It hit home in so many ways. I, too, was a "tax orphan" growing up. I never thought to call it that but I definitely will now. I, too, have often wondered about why people spend so much time trying to make others happy when they aren't happy themselves. This book is about so much more than the relationship between a young girl and her late uncle's mysterious boyfriend. It's about the relationship between her and her sister, her and her parents and her and society. There aren't enough words to describe how I really feel about this book. I can't believe that this is Brunt's first novel. Her voice is already so self-assured and powerful. Based on this first book, I think we are in for a real treat with her future works. She certainly has the talent and I cannot wait to see what her next book looks like. To be honest, I would kinda like to see a sequel to this one. Maybe explore June and Greta in the present day as adults. Sadly, I don't think it would be as good. The inevitable movie adaptation won't be either but I am still looking forward to seeing it. Brunt is a true gift and I am so glad that I had the experience of reading this book. It was worth every minute!
I can't give 3.5 but that's my official rating. I really loved most of it, but the ending started to falter a little. Ultimately I was satisfied with the ending but it started so creatively that I think I was expecting something that never came? Ultimately though, a really interesting story, beautifully told.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No